Rotary clock, London time

The three clocks that will be put up at the Rotary tower in Bistupur. Telegraph picture

Jamshedpur’s very own Big Ben, rising in the heart of the city in a fitting tribute to the founder, will commemorate India’s victory over polio.

Being commissioned jointly by Rotary Club of Jamshedpur and Tata Steel for Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, the 25ft aluminium clock tower is being named after the service organisation. The Rotary Clock Tower — flaunting the three time zones of India, Singapore and London — is expected to make its debut chime at Triangular Park in the first week of March.

“The World Health Organisation (WHO) will certify India as a polio-free nation (no case in past three years) next month. The clock tower is being dedicated to the country’s fight against polio,” said an official associated with the project.

He added that Lion City Singapore had been chosen because it headquartered NatSteel, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Steel engaged in rolling operations. London, on the other hand, is the headquarters of Tata Steel, Europe.

The Rs 6-lakh tower — built by a Chennai-based timer firm — will boast three clocks, the largest being three feet in diameter. The other two will be a feet lesser in broadness. The larger clock will display the Indian Standard Time, while the smaller ones will show the times of the other two cities, making the tower unique from similar ones in India.

“The clocks will be placed in a way that they will be visible from Gopal Maidan, Bistupur police station and Talwar Mansion,” said the source.

The dials will be covered with acrylic glass and flaunt computer-cut vinyl lettering, which will glow at night. The time will be set from the ground using a high-frequency remote. “The clocks will use GPS technology. The controller will receive timing pulses from GPS satellites using electricity. During power failures, the clock will function for 24 hours on battery,” said the official.

Confirming the christening, senior functionary of Rotary Club Ronald D’Costa said that the clock tower was getting ready for a March debut.

“City residents will recognise JN Tata’s footprints across the globe when they pass by the clock tower. Since Rotary Club has been campaigning for a polio-free world, we thought it would be an appropriate commemoration,” he added.

In April 2005, Rotary Club, Jusco and Titan Industries had joined hands to erect the Centennial Clock Tower at Bistupur roundabout to mark 100 years of Tata Steel. The landmark was dismantled in 2011 after it developed a technical snag.